“How are you?” has a new meaning
Before COVID-19 arrived in the United State, “How are you?” was more of a greeting than a question. No one wanted an actual answer, or seemed to care if you broke your toe, or if your boss was a creep.
The typical answer to the question of “How are you” was: “Fine. How are you?” To which the other person answered: “fine.”
In this present nightmarish time, “How are you?” is an actual question on your mental and/or physical health. People really want to know if you are sick or well.
Currently, when someone asks me “How are you?” This is how I respond (and they listen!):
My response:
I’m doing great, except:
- I lost my job at the gym
- I’m afraid to leave the house
- I’m worried I’ll lose my health care (there’s a lawsuit in court to kill the Affordable Care Act)
- I’m concerned about a food shortage
- I cut up my food really slowly and carefully in case I get cut and have to go to the hospital since they are overwhelmed, contagious centers
- I can’t go near friends and family
- I couldn’t hug my mom on mother’s day.
- I don’t know how I’m going to vote, pay my bills, or receive my paychecks if the postal service isn’t funded.
- I can’t sleep well because I don’t know what the future will look like.
- Fire season is approaching so I’m worried houses will catch on fire with no one to put out the flames if states don’t receive government funds.
- I worry about looters breaking into my home since so many people have lost their jobs.
- I’m sickened and stressed that more demonstrators will be abused by racist police.
Other than that, I’m fantastic! How are you?
P.S. I want to hear from you. How are you doing? What are you going through? What can I do to help you?
